How the Celebrities and Notables Ran at the 2024 Boston Marathon
10 years after his inspiring Boston Marathon win, Meb Keflezighi returned to Boylston Street.
Every year, the Boston Marathon attracts celebrities from various fields, from athletes to actors, and this year was no different. Last year, former Boston Red Sox players Brock Holt and Ryan Dempster took to the streets alongside legendary quarterback Doug Flutie, who won the Heisman while at Boston College. This year, things kick off with former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski serving as grand marshal for the race.
This year, spectators saw a few returning faces in the streets but also a few first-timers. So, what notable names did we see at the 2024 Boston Marathon?
Meb Keflezighi - 3:08:58
Meb Keflezighi, now with New Balance, announced his return to the race earlier this year. In 2014, Keflezighi became the first American to win the men’s race since 1983. On Monday, he ran a time of 3:08:58—off his prerace goal of breaking 3 hours.
Keflezighi, 48, ran the race for his MEB Foundation, which supports “health, education, and fitness worldwide.”
“I will be returning to the streets of Boston, taking on the prestigious race and celebrating my victory from 2014,” Keflezighi said on Instagram. “Together, we can light the path for those in need and show the world the power of compassion and community. Let’s run with purpose and inspire others to join us in spreading kindness and hope.”
Zdeno Chara - 3:30:52
Chara, the legendary Bruins hockey player who stands a mighty six feet, nine inches and helped bring the Stanley Cup to Boston in 2011, ran in support of the Thomas E. Smith Foundation and the Hoyt Foundation.
Chara ran a time of 3:30:52—nearly eight minutes faster than his time of 3:38:23 from 2023. Not only that—the former defenseman will run the London Marathon this Sunday, hoping for another PR.
Nicolas Kiefer - 3:59:25
Kiefer completed his Six Star journey on Monday, running his sixth and final World Marathon Major. He broke the 4 hour barrier, running a time of 3:59:25.
Kiefer, who won silver in the 2004 Olympics, wrote on Instagram that he felt “extremely good” during his final training run before the marathon.
Chris Nikic - 6:31:33
At 22, Chris Nikic completed his first Boston Marathon in 2021. He is the first person with Down Syndrome to finish the Hawaii Ironman and all Big Six marathons. Nikic ran 6:31:33 on Monday. Next up, like Chara, is the London Marathon next week.
“Last long run (20 miles) before @bostonmarathon next weekend and @londonmarathon in 2 weeks,” Nikic said on Instagram on Sunday. “Looking to see if I can do better each marathon.”
Amby Burfoot - 4:59:58
Burfoot, an elite marathoner in the ‘60s and ‘70s, won the marathon in 1968. Burfoot also has a bit of history with the race. He was trained by fellow Boston winner John J. Kelley in high school and was a college roommate of four-time winner Bill Rodgers. The former editor-in-chief of Runner’s World ran 4:59:58, narrowly slipping under the 5-hour mark.
The 77-year-old wore bib number 1968 in honor of his previous win.
Matt Wilpers - 3:01:22
Famed Peloton instructor Matt Wilpers ran the marathon as a long-time personal goal and as a way to inspire others as he does during his popular workouts. He finished in 3:01:22 on Monday.
“My success is when my athletes are successful, so if I can push them to be stronger, better versions of themselves by going out and leading by example, like, I love this stuff,” Wilpers told Boston.com. “I’ll have fun racing a marathon, I’ll have fun racing a 5K. Whatever it is, this is what I do for fun. And so if this is going to get people excited, let’s go do it.”
Laura Ratliff is a New York City-based writer, editor, and runner. Laura's writing expertise spans numerous topics, ranging from travel and food and drink to reported pieces covering political and human rights issues. She has previously worked at Architectural Digest, Bloomberg News, and Condé Nast Traveler and was most recently the senior editorial director at TripSavvy. Like many of us, Laura was bitten by the running bug later in life, after years of claiming to "hate running." Her favorite marathon is Big Sur.
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